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Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 4pm

Psychwest Psychology Services - Kerstin Anderson-Ridge

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Psychwest Psychology Services - Kerstin Anderson-Ridge

Our mission is to support you to thrive. We help you to develop effective coping skills through evidenced based psychological tools.

We do this by assessing your unique situation to determine collaboratively where changes need to be made so we can help you create more balance and live life to the fullest
We also provide Autism & ADHD assessments At Psychwest we can support and guide you to change limiting patterns and behaviours to create greater balance and fulfilment in your life. Our mission is to support you to create long

lasting and meaningful change in your life. Kerstin also provides supervision for the 4+2 and 5+1 pathways and Clinical and Counselling Endorsement programs. She has actively supervised emerging psychologists through their professional pathways for 15 years.

22/08/2025

Adult ADHD isn’t just about being distracted. It can show up in ways you might not even realize: chronic lateness, emotional sensitivity, trouble picking up social cues, and even getting hyper-focused on certain tasks.

Recognising these traits can help you understand yourself better.

19/08/2025

What makes a good assessment?

A good assessment is a thorough one that includes as much information as possible to create an accurate reflection of the client at the time.

Combining information from multiple sources helps to verify the clients experience so that they can receive appropriate support following assessment.

It’s important that the client being assessed feels accurately represented and that they have had the opportunity to express their perspective or any of their current concerns.

15/08/2025

Giftedness: More Than Just a High IQ

If your child is gifted, it doesn’t just mean they’re “smart” or ahead in school. Giftedness often shows up in surprising — and sometimes challenging — ways.

Gifted Kids Think Differently

They might ask big questions, make unexpected connections, or seem years ahead in some areas — and still struggle with everyday tasks like tying shoelaces or managing emotions.

Giftedness Can Look “Messy”

Your child might:
• Be highly sensitive or emotional
• Struggle with boredom in class
• Have big reactions to small problems
• Push back against rules or routines
It’s not always straight A’s and perfect behaviour.

Twice Exceptional (2e) Kids

Some gifted kids also have learning or developmental differences — like ADHD, autism, anxiety, or dyslexia. This mix of strengths and challenges is called being twice exceptional.

Sometimes It Just Looks Like Daydreaming

Gifted kids might seem “off with the fairies” or disengaged at school. Why? Because the content is too easy or not stimulating enough — so their minds go elsewhere. It’s not defiance — it’s boredom.

Inattention Can Be a Sign of Mismatch — Not a Problem With Your Child

When gifted kids are given work that’s too basic, they may appear:
• Inattentive
• Distracted
• Unmotivated
• “Lazy” (they’re not!)
Often, they’re just not being challenged in the right way.

Your Child Needs Support — Not Just “More Work”

Gifted kids don’t just need harder maths or more reading. They need:
• Emotional support
• Connection
• A safe space to be curious, quirky, and themselves

You’re Not Alone
Raising a gifted child can be joyful, confusing, and exhausting — all at once. You’re doing great. And you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

12/08/2025

🧠 Cognitive vs. Giftedness Assessments –

What’s the Difference? 🌟
Both assessments include a cognitive test, feedback session, and written report — but the purpose and depth differ!

✨ Cognitive Assessments are ideal for exploring how a child thinks and learns compared to same-age peers. They help identify intellectual giftedness or uncover challenges in areas like working memory or processing speed. These do not assess literacy or numeracy skills.

🌟 Giftedness Assessments go further — including an initial parent interview and academic testing (WIAT) to explore strengths in reading, writing, spelling, and maths. They can identify both intellectual and academic giftedness and are often used to support applications to programs like GATE.

Want to know which is right for your child?

Reach out to learn more

08/08/2025

What are they for?
At Psychwest, combined assessments refer to assessments that investigate both ADHD and Autism in individuals aged 6 years and older. At the end of the process, you will receive detailed feedback and a comprehensive report that explains whether you meet the criteria for either/both diagnoses. It will also include findings from any additional screening tools used during the process
The diagnostic report can provide diagnoses, explanations, and recommendations for treatment and support options. Please note that psychologist’s cannot prescribe medication.

Why combine assessments?
If you are considering assessment for ADHD and Autism, and do not currently have a diagnosis of either, it can be helpful to combine them. The assessor can help you to explore how theseconditions might overlap, compensate for one another, or intensify certain traits. Combining assessments is cheaper and quicker than separately taking both assessments, as some sessions such as the intake session and the feedback session are combined.

How do I prepare for my assessment?
* Reflect on issues you are facing now and difficulties you have dealt with in the past that may be related to experiences of ADHD or Autism. If you are seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist, talk to them about these issues to help you process them.
* Ask for support from friends and/or family - a family member, partner, or other close support person will need participate in an interview as part of the process.
* Gather relevant documents such as school reports or other supporting materials that show patterns of your behaviours over your lifetime.

How do I get started?
To book a combined assessment, reach out to our admin via phone or our website (link in bio). More information about the assessment process and cost is available on the PsychwestWA website under Services > Combined ADHD/ Autism Assessment.
Clients younger than 25 years old may be eligible for a rebate for the autism portion of the assessment if referred by a paediatrician or psychiatrist - so you can ask your treating specialist to send a referral to Psychwest.

05/08/2025

Hi, I’m Michelle, a Registered Psychologist at Psychwest.

I complete Autism and ADHD assessments at the practice and see a variety of presentations for therapy as well.

I find it very rewarding working with individuals who want to explore their identity or need support with significant life changes such as break-ups, finishing high-school, or starting the process of gender-affirming therapy.

Outside of therapy, I enjoy travelling, spending time with my 3 cats and reading fantasy books.

01/08/2025

Find the right support both for your child and for yourself, ensuring that everyone involved can have space to process the change.

Find resources about the diagnosis so that you can feel fully informed, which can help to maintain open communication and understanding between you and your child.

Focus on your child’s strengths and progress to encourage their self-confidence and develop areas of interest or ability.

29/07/2025

What Happens in a Feedback Session?

* You’ll be provided a written and electronic copy of your report. The session typically goes for 30-mins, or up to 50-mins if required. Your feedback session is about taking time to explore the results of your assessment in detail, explore the report, recommendations and where to from here in terms of support services, strategies or how to better understand your results.

* Depending on the results, if a diagnosis has been provided, we can spend time exploring what that diagnosis means for you moving forward, and tailor some recommendations based on your individual needs. There’s no one-size fits all!

* Feel free to come along with questions prepared, as this can help you make the most of your feedback session.

25/07/2025

Autism & ADHD – Key Differences

* Autism: a developmental condition characterised by difficulties with social communication such as social reciprocity (turn-taking, back and forth conversations, initiating conversations or engaging with social cues such as small talk, or eye-contact). Autism is different to ADHD, because it’s often accompanied by restricted/repetitive behaviours; namely difficulties with change, reliance on sameness or sensory sensitivity.

* ADHD: a developmental condition characterised by persistent difficulties with inattention. This can include difficulties holding, initiating or sustaining attention. Sometimes inattention can coincide with hyperactivity; difficulties sitting still, fast-paced tangential speech, or bouncing between tasks without finishing these.

* Whilst both conditions can co-occur, the key differences are rooted in areas of difficulty. ADHD is a condition of attention. ADHD can often interfere or impact a person’s social interactions: perhaps finding yourself frequently interrupting someone, or unintentionally zoning out while they’re speaking. Whereas Autism can sometimes appear as difficulties or challenges with reading or understanding social cues, norms or expectations.

* Both can have their strengths and challenges, but we’re here to help you uncover them, and maximise your potential.

22/07/2025

Why early intervention matters:

Early intervention matters — more than we often realise. I’ve worked with teens in Year 12 who’ve struggled through school their whole lives, only to finally be assessed and discover their brain finds it challenging to remember information presented verbally, or that they missed out on learning key skills in reading back in the early years.

They’ve worked incredibly hard to “keep up,” often relying on their intelligence alone — but it’s been far harder than it ever needed to be. The reality is, when kids don’t understand whysomething is difficult for them, they often create their own explanations.

And unfortunately, those explanations usually sound like: “I’m dumb.” “I’m useless.” “Something’s wrong with me.” These self-imposed labels can be far more damaging than a diagnosis like ADHD or a learning difference — which, with the right support, can be managed and even become a strength.

Unsupported neurodivergence isn’t just a learning issue — it can deeply impact a child’s self-esteem and mental health, and significantly increase the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts.

Early assessment gives us a chance to change that story — to help children understand themselves, get the support they need, and start seeing their strengths.

18/07/2025

A checklist to help you feel ready and supported for your Child’s ADHD Assessment!

Step 1: Explore Your Outcome
🎯 What are you hoping to gain?
– Support in school?
– A diagnosis?
– Considering medication?

Step 2: Talk About the Session
🗣️ Tell your child what to expect:
– It’s a relaxed conversation
– They’ll talk about what they notice about themselves
– You’ll share what you’ve seen too

Step 3: Get Paperwork Ready
📝 Make sure to:
– Fill out all psychologist questionnaires
– Gather teacher feedback
– Bring school reports

Step 4: Note Key Behaviours
🧾 Think of examples like:
– Trouble focusing
– Impulsivity
– Hyperactivity

Step 5: Think Generationally
🧬 ADHD often runs in families.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Mention if parents, siblings, or relatives have had similar traits or diagnoses—it helps complete the picture.

Step 6: You’re Not Alone
👫 A co-parent, friend, or support person can help:
– Share additional insights
– Take notes
– Help you feel supported during the session

Don’t stress about being “perfectly prepared.” 
💬 Be honest, bring what you can, and ask questions if you’re unsure. 
🧩 The goal is understanding—not judgment.

 🌟 You’ve got this!
 Preparing thoughtfully can make the assessment experience easier for everyone.
 🔁 Save this post to refer back to later.

Address

25 Junction Parade Midland
Perth, WA
6056

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 4pm

Telephone

+61894683640

Website

https://www.kerstinandersonridge.com.au/

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